Isn’t it funny? You have a whole community of authors out there who are awesome at adding blog content, but they don’t. Common guys, get "blog awise"!
Anyway, hasn’t it been great to see all the great things that are going on in Otaki and the Barefoot Waterskiing champs. Another fantastic event, showing the whole country why Kapiti and Horowhenua are such good places to live and play
I thought I would take this opportunity to let you into the sectors about a couple of our motels. This week I will talk about the ones in the southern part of the district- Paraparaumu.
Comfort Inn Elliott’s
There’s a little surprise out the back of this highway motor lodge. You’d never know it from the road, but behind the impressive modern frontage there’s a gorgeous peaceful backyard. It’s perfect for the kids to play cricket or roly-poly down the lawn, and for you to read under the trees and let out that city air. Afterwards, fire up the BBQ and unwind with the sunset.
Sue and Peter Reedy have owned Comfort Inn Elliotts for seven years and are in no danger of the seven year itch. “We never intended to stay here this long,” says Peter. “But we do love it here.”
Good backyards need a few special things – fruit trees (Sue says the pear tree in the backyard is the biggest she’s ever seen), at least one native tree (Sue’s Dad thinks the Rimu is 200 years old), really green grass (with enough open space to hit a six), and a European-style patio area that you can see from every room.
To say Sue and Peter are used to a family atmosphere is an understatement – they’ve got nine children between them. The motor lodge has a separate house for a family that includes its own teenage lounge area. Other accommodation includes single studios and large one- and two-bedroom units, all with their own spa bath. Go through the visitor’s book and you’ll find comments on the comfy beds and “extra comfy pillows”.
Sue and Peter both hold precious memories of the Nature Coast. Peter spent six quiet months in Waikanae before he met Sue. “I spent lots of the time on the beach – sometimes with the kids, sometimes just by myself. You know – the sunsets, just walking and walking – it’s quite something.”
Sue spent time here as a kid and as an early Mum. Otaki Forks and the beaches were her favourites. “The dog used to chase seagulls on the beach for hours on end,” she says. “Once I had all the kids with me and I had to dash home but the dog wouldn’t come. So we went anyway, came back, and there was the dog, happy as Larry.”
The rooms are very quiet. “My mother is very noise sensitive so we got her to test them. They all passed,” says Sue.
To take advantage of their Wellington Visitor’s Special (free train to Wellington, two nights in a luxury spa bath unit, and a continental breakfast), call Sue and Peter. They may also share some other Nature Coast surprises with you.
Unlike most surprises, this one can be lived over and over again.
Comfort Inn Elliotts
33 Amohia St (SH1) Paraparaumu
Phone 0800 93 60 70 (NZ toll free)
Phone 0064 4 902 6070
Phone UK toll free: 0871 731 1045
www.elliottsmotorlodge.co.nz
elliottsml@paradise.net.nz
Babysitting is available by prior arrangement.
Copperfield Seaside Motel
Copperfield Seaside Motel managers Margaret and Tony Parker still get people asking them where the ice cream parlor was. Unit 14 was the ice cream parlor in the old Copperfield Shopping Complex. Margaret remembers buying ice creams there for her children, on an afternoon by the seaside at Paraparaumu Beach. “It was a treat to come up here on weekends,” she says.
Copperfield’s is nestled in the heart of Paraparaumu Beach, something which Tony loves. “I’m always saying we’re in a village.” He’s no stranger to community spirit, having lived and worked in Tawa where he ended up on the Community Board.
Even the ducks from the park venture into the village – it’s common to see them use the pedestrian crossing, or paddle in the garden’s water fountain.
Margaret and Tony are fairly new to the Nature Coast. They’ve both had professional careers and have always had an inkling they may end up as moteliers. It suits them – they like looking after people.
They are busy in their little village too. Margaret’s just joined a singing group, and Tony says that she’s “doing very well.” Their Nature Coast lifestyle means they can do things like this, and often with a “League of Nations” staying at the Motel, they’re busy learning from other communities around the world.
“We get people (mainly from England) who stay long-term and become friends while they look for a house to live in. We recently had a Japanese man who was doing a world golf tour. He just laughed at most everything we said, but before he left he invited us to Japan,” says Tony.
“Petanque seems to be growing as a sport, so we have accommodated many players, who occasionally come in drenched from a sudden shower, knowing we have a large dryer to dry out their jackets. They appreciate these small things.” The American tourists like being looked after. “In America you just pick up a key and go to your room. It’s not like that here.”
Copperfield’s is in the heart of this seaside village. Visitors are a hop, skip, and a jump to the beach, park, a variety of restaurants, boutique shops, and art galleries; are just two hits from the world-renowned Paraparaumu Beach Golf Course, and never far from the extended Nature Coast community of wildlife and nature operators, including trips to Kapiti Island..
Tony recommends people visit Nga Manu Nature Reserve if the weather isn’t great for a visit to Kapiti Island. For the younger ones, a 10-minute drive takes you to Waikanae Park with shady trees for picnics and a choice of pools for swimming.
Tony and Margaret have four daughters and a motel cat called Paris. “She thinks she’s Paris Hilton,” says Margaret. “Spoilt rotten.”
Any precious time they have, they like to enjoy a meal in one of the many nearby restaurants, watching the sun go down and sipping a glass of wine. “Only for medicinal purposes of course,” smiles Tony.
Talk to Margaret and Tony long enough, and you’ll come to believe they live and work in the best little seaside village in New Zealand.
Copperfield Seaside Motel
7-13 Seaview Rd, Paraparaumu Beach
Managers: Margaret and Tony Parker
Ph 04 902 6414
www.seasidemotel.co.nz
stay@seasidemotel.co.nz
15 units including 1 & 2-bedroom apartments. All apartments have full kitchen facilities, balconies, Sky TV and wireless internet. Seven studio units with double spa baths. 2 studio access units with walk-in showers. Conference room with views to Kapiti Island available for meetings. Within the complex are: Sopranos Italian Restaurant, Cookies Buffet, and Helen’s Kitchen (a gourmet vegetarian café).
Wrights by the Sea
Dear Diary. Friday 7.30pm. We got here just before sunset and have decided not to get back into the car until Sunday night! Wonder if there’s enough to do round here. Not sure what we’ll do for dinner. It’s been hectic lately with the kids, moving. We’ve lost our way. The room’s lovely. Dan’s not talking much. Maybe this was a mistake.
Friday 9.30pm. Dinner at Muang Thai in the Paraparaumu Beach shops, didn’t expect to find great Asian food out here. The beach was magic, seeing the sun going down over Kapiti Island. We’re so lucky. Saw the south island and the very tip of Mt Taranaki out east. I think that’s what it was, Dan said I needed my eyes checked. I think he giggled. No expectations, no expectations. I always thought the coast was a bit, well, dinky. But we’ve done the Gold Coast, and the Pacific Islands. Hope I sleep well.
Saturday 2pm. Great sleep. We had the full works breakfast in bed - stuff the cholesterol. Then we went to the beach community markets in the car park - Dan went whisky tasting and I talked to this Chinese family who was selling veggies, and brought some Maori potatoes. And I found this woman who bakes melting moments with real butter and a truck load of sugar. Got some wine there too, for dinner. We went around the shops too. There’s a perfume shop (Dan smells lovely now), a new Kiwiana shop called Beaut and a shop that sells fairy stuff. Back for a nap. Bliss.
Saturday 10pm. He’s running the spa bath. Went to Sopranos for dinner. I told them what I couldn’t eat and the chef made this amazing pasta dish. Walked along the beach afterwards. Dan took my hand. The last time he did that was possibly two years ago but I can’t be sure! Held back the tears. Just. Can’t be blubbering on our weekend away. I collected a piece of driftwood the shape of the North Island. Except Lake Taupo is just a hole. Spa’s ready.
Sunday 11am. We’ve got a late checkout. Heaven. Off to Waikanae Estuary now. Apparently there’s a local man who’s got a story about a swan and a goose falling in love. Sigh.
Sunday 3pm. I now believe this earth is for the birds and we are just visiting.
Sunday 10.30pm. Back at home. We’ve decided to book into the same motel every two months and next time we’re going to have an adventure weekend – with white water rafting in Otaki, and gliding at the Paraparaumu airport. Eeek! Then we’ll do a museum weekend, and a bird tour weekend, and go to Kapiti Island, and a walking trail weekend. Dan hovered around the motel car park and wouldn’t get in the car. He grabbed me and said he can’t believe how much he still loves me. I couldn’t hold back those tears. He could have chosen from so many romantic places from our weekend – and he picks the car park!
Wrights By The Sea
387 Kapiti Road, Paraparaumu Beach
Reservations Freephone: 0508 902 760
www.wrightsmotel.co.nz
Email: wrights@paradise.net.nz
Studio and one bedroom units, including spa and access units. Across the road from Paraparaumu Golf Course. Breakfast in bed. Luxury winter spa pool. All mod cons. Pets by arrangement. Free courtesy pick-up from Paraparaumu Railway Station and Paraparaumu Airport by arrangement
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